It's been practised by countless cultures spanning the globe for thousands of years. But now, holistic healing methods are finding a new following among Canadians who are looking to enhance their health and vitality without the aid of needles and scalpels.

Dr. Arden Baker, a naturopathic doctor and practitioner of Chinese medicine at the Calgary Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, says holistic medicine is all about balance — from diet to spiritual.

“From a vitality standpoint, if you maintain appropriate nutritional status — meaning a good diet with the right nutrients in terms of vitamins and minerals — all of your cells actually work better,” says Baker.

“And from an energy standpoint, you have more efficient fuel usage: every ounce of food you eat gets burned by the body, so that you can have good energy day-to-day.”

For most people, this also means you can better maintain a healthy weight throughout life, adds Baker. When you have the right nutrients and hormonal balance, she says, everything operates efficiently and prevents chronic inflammation from creeping in.

And when the body is functioning “in harmony,” there are many esthetic benefits, “particularly for women,” Baker says.

“What we see is more glow underneath the skin and a more youthful appearance, regardless of age,” she says.

“There is more blood circulating, so people look healthier. They have healthier cells that are operating more effectively. You actually have a slower slide into aging, with better hormones and collagen.”

Dr. Susan Janssens, a naturopathic doctor at the Maya Centre in Calgary, is also a strong proponent of using healthy diet and lifestyle to heal.

For example, she tends to focus on proper nutrition: five to seven servings of vegetables a day; whole grains and legumes, which are a great source of fibre that binds bad fats and helps the body to expel them; cold water

fish, which can help prevent cardiovascular disease; and raw nuts and seeds, which provide a whole range of fatty acids that help the brain, nervous system and cardiovascular system work properly.

Through exercising and eating a diet containing plenty of whole foods, “there is going to be a huge difference in quality of life,” Janssens says.

“Drug therapy really cannot overcome poor diet and lifestyle.”

Dr. Bruce Hoffman, founder of the Hoffman Centre for Integrative Medicine in Calgary, says it’s also important to consider other factors such as environmental, emotional and even spiritual.

That could mean considering everything from Ayurvedic therapies and Chinese medicine to detoxification and meditation practice.

“Usually, it is multiple factors across all levels,” says Hoffman. “Patients not taking pharmaceutical drugs can achieve maximum wellness according to their genetic potential, with non-drug therapies.”

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that one size definitely does not fit all — especially when it comes to holistic medicine, says Baker.

“Because of that, you really have to find tools that will work specifically for you,” she says.

“That often means not only experimenting a little bit, but also seeking out practitioners with different backgrounds. It’s kind of like finding your own hairstylist. Not everybody can do it the way you need it to be done.”